Secretary-General Angel Gurría launched the 2012 Development Co-operation Report “Lessons in linking sustainability and development” at the 48th High Level Meeting of the Development Assistance Committee in London.

Luxembourg allocated 0.97% of its gross national income, or USD 413 million, to official development assistance in 2011.“Luxembourg is the Development Assistance Committee’ s third most generous donor as a portion of its economy – after Sweden and Norway – and it has a high quality programme” says Brian Atwood, Chair of the DAC. “We commend Luxembourg’s commitment to keeping its ODA at 1% of GNI until 2014”.

The OECD’s review of Luxembourg’s development policies and programmes notes the country’s strong stand on reducing poverty, humanitarian assistance and its effective work with 9 developing country partners.

An aid recipient less than two decades ago, Korea is now a donor and sharing its experience of how to use development co-operation as a catalyst to promote long-term sustainable growth in other countries.

The OECD Policy Dialogue on Aid for Trade took place on 16 & 17 January 2013. The dialogue welcomed high-level participants, including OECD Secretary General Gurria, WTO Director General Pascal Lamy and EU Commissioner for Trade Karel de Gucht. Consult the agenda at www.oecd.org/dac/aidfortrade/aidfortradepolicydialogue2013.htm

This report highlights the issues faced by local areas against the backdrop of policies or planning models that have directed local development in the past decades (e.g. introduction of new industries such as information technology/bio-technology following the de-industrialisation of mining/manufacturing industries) but today appear less suitable than expected to ensure the sustainability of local development.

Latin American governments must act now to strengthen growth and development and counter these risks, according to the 2013 Latin American Economic Outlook, jointly produced by the OECD Development Centre and ECLAC.